Are you actually looking for a phone, or just a music player? If the latter then I suggest an iPod. I don't know the specifics of what it can do music wise but it's a dedicated music platform unlike mobiles which are phones primarily, with a music player as an added feature.

We're generally not fanboys here. Most of us either like Apple and Android equally, or prefer Android over Apple for the many reasons you can pick.

Fact is, for what you asked for, an iPod really is the best choice.

If you're set on an Android phone, well you won't get as high quality music as you would from an mp3 player. Try researching Sony Ericsson Android phones, they had the W division of their old phones which specialised in music, w = walkman. Perhaps some of that old knowledge is still present on their current lineup.

He asked for an Android phone which is two things the iPod isn't. You could at least pretend to read his requests before making recommendations that waste his time.

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Oh, you've caught me out. I've been rumbled.

You honestly think I didn't read his post? I suggested the iPod because it's one of the best music players. What he asked for was a device with high music playback quality and options that you generally don't find on mobile phones. The iPod fulfills those criteria.

I was aware he wanted a phone, but I suggested the iPod anyway as an alternative option.

You could at least think about what you type before submitting your post. This forum is for helping people, I was helping his decision with alternatives.

i was also thinking of an ipod but for practicality i would rather buy an Android phone that is a phone to make calls, send text messages and the usual apps plus a fairly food music (and video) player than having two separate things i.e. a phone and an MP3 player as separate. (and rather than bringing in two separate things i would rather bring just one). if you can see what i mean.

i love going to work listening to my MP3 files as it gets your blood going early in the morning. i would like to listen to FM or internet radio but i take the underground train so it makes no sense.

at the moment i am choosing between a Nokia X6 (which i know isn't an Android phone) and the Samsung Galaxy Apollo which based on the specs might sound the same as the Galaxy S which is isn't a bad thing. i just thought if some other companies makes good music phones.

LG i heard has Dolby mobile but i think that is mainly for video. and the battery life and the overall quality of LG phones are not good anyway i read.

Sony Ericsson i've heard that you cannot do what i am looking for (as regards playlists and adding songs to playlist on-the-fly) so i guess they are out of the running.

Are all your requirements definitely needed? You could cut a few from the list and open up more options for potential phones.

Remember that the quality of music relies on the file itself, the device, and the headphones/speakers. Having a high quality, high fidelity music file and decent headphones might compensate for the device not having great sound hardware.

Android is actually a good choice for this, there are probably a few apps on the Market that contain the playlisting and other features you're after.

i'm very much aware that it all depends on the file, headphones, etc. for starters, all my files are on 320k bit-rate and i use a mid-end in-ear Sony earphones that is why
my standards are that high if you like. meaning i expect nothing much but great sound quality that an Android phone can provide and not an iPod or an iphone.

i'm very much aware that it all depends on the file, headphones, etc. for starters, all my files are on 320k bit-rate and i use a mid-end in-ear Sony earphones that is why
my standards are that high if you like. meaning i expect nothing much but great sound quality that an Android phone can provide and not an iPod or an iphone.

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An iPod/iPhone is going to kick any Android phone's ass in terms of sound quality and as overall media players. The iPod is designed to be a media player primarily and the iPhone is built on the iPod interface. Any Android device is designed to be a phone first and everything else second.

but what can you say when a website that specialises on phones (like gsmarena.com) say that the Samsung galaxy Apollo sounds a bit better than the Galaxy S and the iPhone 4...what can you say about their tests? would you beleive their tests? any advice please...?

An iPod/iPhone is going to kick any Android phone's ass in terms of sound quality and as overall media players. The iPod is designed to be a media player primarily and the iPhone is built on the iPod interface. Any Android device is designed to be a phone first and everything else second.

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I wouldn't say kick its ass. iDevices aren't particularly renowned for their sound quality. In fact, quite the opposite. Many say that iPods have some of the worst quality for their price, saying that many cheaper devices actually have much better sound quality (if you have a decent set of headphones, its noticeable). Many people also dislike how you only have preset EQ options that cannot be changed. The one good thing about iPods is their very good and intuitive UI, making using a portable music player a no brainer. Also, iPods can't play FLAC files, which I noticed were one of preferences in the OP.

I'm not going to lie, Android phones aren't exactly great music players either. Lack of a system-wide standard EQ among other reasons pretty much speak for itself. I still use mine as one, just because carrying two devices around is inconvenient, and having a redneck hands-free system (tape deck) while listening to music in the car is pretty nice. Plus, I like being able to download new music on the fly without a PC.

I would suggest looking into your options first. Don't jump on the iPhone/iPod bandwagon unless you really feel its your best option.

Also, going by my experience, my HTC Eris has about the same sound quality as my iPod Touch 2G. Both are far better than my old iPod Video 5G. After using my Eris and Touch for so long, I listened to the 5G, and it was pretty terribad. The bass was weak, and the mids and highs were incredibly exaggerated. And these were on some $20 Sony earbuds, so they aren't even high end and you could still hear a difference.

HTC Wildfire has Dolby Mobile (allows you to alter trebble/bass, music/video EQ genre settings, a Mobile Surround setting) and based on my experience enhances the sound quality through headphones/external speakers (don't know about the quality of the phone speaker, that depends on the phone). I would probably recommend you check that phone out.

Alot of LG Androids have this as well as does the Acer Stream (and upcoming Acer Liquid Metal) but the Acer ones are out of that price range. Also out of that price range, the HTC Desire Z/HTC Desire HD will also have Dolby Mobile.

Another option is to purchase a compatible phone and flash CyanogenMod which has a full equalizer available (this requires you root the device, which is similar to jailbreak on an iPhone, it does void the warranty).

By the way, I am using htc Evo 3D. It's music quality is far superior than my ipod touch 3. I forgot when I last used my ipod after buying this phone and I have transferred most of my song list into 3vo.

If you think the ipod is the best, you haven't tried the Samsung Galaxy Player 5.0. I've shown it to lots of hard core ipod users and they all were amazed that the SGP5 was better....and they used their own headphones. There are plenty of apps to customize things to your liking, but it just sounds better and louder than ipod. And has good stereo external speakers.

The SGP5 is WiFi only, so it won't work for the OP.....unless sound quality is a priority. It is for me, so I got a plain vanilla cell phone. The SGP5 does everything else that any smartphone does...just without 3G/4G connectivity...which I can do without.

My HTC sensation xe with beats audio is so far nicer richer sounding than my iPod classic its laughable.... folk seem to confuse sales figures with quality, the iPod is good on only one of those fronts. Add ina the ability to load up one of multiple media players, I use player pro btw, the iPod is well n truly 2nd in this race.. so my suggestion to the open is to try n find a good second hand beats HTC, u won't go far wrong...

Yes, it will depend on what you're comparing to, & there are varying grades of hardware for android. One thing to note is the core music player in android isn't that great; indeed, you can download various music apps that have 'extras' like better EQ & interface, maybe even a volume boost... but they won't change the DAC in the phone, nor will it change the fact that these apps are just front ends for the core android media player. Android music player is very basic drag & drop & struggles with tagging on anything other than mp3. mp3 is a very good format it's just that many of us have progressed in the world & use AAC. ALAC or FLAC or any of the other less common formats.

My ipod touch has a Wolfson DAC which makes it sound much better & louder than my phone OR my ipod classic (which does not have the Wolfson DAC). It also syncs effortlessly (playlist from itunes) whereas I have to drag & drop to my android. If my card is full then I also need to delete something manually to make room for it. I just wish android could sync like itunes. The motorola media sync is a nice idea but messes up my compilations so I won't touch it ever again. Same with double twist, nice idea, still doesn't play nice with my library.

So there you go. Android phone is "adequate" for music. If I'm on a train with my AC charger then great, I have phone / internet / music. We just need a revamp of the android music player.